Sensing complete injection for animal injection device

Abstract

A semi-automated veterinary medicine delivery device may sense whether and how much air may have been incorporated into a dose delivered to an animal. The device may also sense an incomplete injection in some cases, and may cause a second dose to be administered to make up for the incomplete dose. The device may compare a position sensor on a syringe in combination with a current sensor on a motor attached to the syringe to detect any abnormalities. In the case of an improper dose, the device may alert the user and administer a second dose.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A semiautomated automated injection device comprising:
 a controller comprising a processor; 
 a trigger input; 
 a user interface; 
 an electric motor configured to drive a syringe plunger, said syringe plunger being drivable by said electric motor in a retraction direction to draw a substance into a syringe barrel, and further drivable by said electric motor in an injection direction to force said substance from said syringe body; 
 a current sensor configured to sense energy consumed by said electric motor; 
 a distance sensor configured to sense a linear distance moved by said syringe plunger; 
 said controller configured to:
 determine a length to drive said syringe plunger based on a dosage input, said length corresponding to a first dose; 
 receive a first trigger signal from said trigger input and in response, cause said electric motor to cause said syringe plunger to advance in said injection direction and monitor said current sensor and said distance sensor during said advance to administer said first dose; 
 compare said current and said distance to determine whether said first dose is fully administered; 
 when said first dose is fully administered, cause a first notice on said user interface, said first notice indicating a successful injection; and 
 when said first dose is not fully administered:
 cause a second notice on said user interface, said second notice indicating an unsuccessful injection; 
 calculate a makeup dose based on said current and said distance; 
 receive a second trigger signal; and 
 cause said electric motor to cause said syringe plunger to advance in said injection direction and monitor said current sensor and said linear sensor during said advance to administer said makeup dose. 
 
 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , said syringe body and said syringe plunger being contained in a removeable adapter. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1 , said determine whether said first dose is fully administered comprising:
 determine an expected current draw per distance traveled; 
 measure whether actual current draw to said motor and actual distance traveled by said plunger are within said expected current draw per distance traveled; 
 when said actual current draw and actual distance traveled are within said expected current draw per distance traveled and said distance traveled equals said length, determine that said first dose was fully administered. 
 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , said unsuccessful injection being due to air in said syringe barrel, said second notice further indicating said air in said syringe barrel. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , said unsuccessful injection being due to removal of said device from an animal during said administer said first dose. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , said unsuccessful injection being due to placement of said substance in a first layer of said animal, said first layer being one of a group composed of:
 muscle; 
 fat; 
 intradermal; and 
 subcutaneous. 
 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 6 , said second notice indicating that said placement being incorrect.